Nancy Heuett's Classroom Website

Mrs. Heuett
4th Grade Room 17
Liberty Ridge Elementary
12202 209th Ave. Ct. E.
Bonney Lake, WA 98391
253-891-4800
nancy_heuett@sumnersd.org

Believe in yourself! You can go the distance!
Home of theThunder Eagles.

(Home Page Under Construction)

Our Vision:
Together we succeed; no exceptions, no excuses.

Our Mission:
At Liberty Ridge, we believe all students can learn. We will achieve our mission by:

Academics

Engaging and motivating all students in rigorous instruction to meet higher standards.

Teamwork

Support each other through commitment, collaboration and accountability.

Character

Modeling and building the stregth of each individual with compassion, integrity and respect.

Community

Embracing a culture of support, pride and tradition.

Safety

Ensuring the physical and emotional safety of all students, staff and families within our community.

Welcome To Fourth Grade!

The goal at Liberty Ridge Elementary is for staff and family members to work as a team to promote the success of each child’s education and lead them to become responsible citizens. This is made possible when there is cooperation between parents, students and teacher. The following information will help you guide your child to reach their goal.

Toys from Home Please keep all personal toys at home unless we are using them for a class project. In the past toys have gotten lost, stolen, broken and caused much distraction to the learning process. I will notify you if we are planning a special project involving toys.

Absences, early and late arrivals If possible, please let me know in advance when your child is going to be absent or call the office in the morning and notify them. A note excusing your child’s absence needs to have child’s name, date of absence, reason for absence and a parent signature. I encourage students to be here everyday although I know illness and family events cannot always be avoided. It is often difficult for your child to catch up on all that was taught in a day as many activities involve work and sharing with other students. If your child arrives to school late, you need to check in with the office and have your child bring a tardy slip to class with them. If you are picking up your child early, please send a note with them in the morning so they will be prepared to leave at the pre-arranged time. Always check in with the office before taking your child from the building.

Library One day a week our class will visit the library to exchange books. Please help your child find an appropriate spot to keep their books during the week and get in the habit of returning their books on the appropriate check out day. We encourage students to select books appropriate for their reading level, however, we value their opinions and leave final book selections up to them.

P.E. It is helpful if your child is dressed appropriately. Any type of sneaker is strongly recommended on those days.

Breaks I am asking that students be responsible for using the bathroom and getting drinks of water at appropriate times. Unless it’s an emergency, during instruction is not appropriate. If this is a problem please talk to me about your particular circumstance privately. The students are welcome to bring small water bottles to school to keep at their tables.

Volunteers and Badges With the exception of dropping off or picking up your child, all adults entering the building need to check in with the office and get a volunteer badge to wear during their time here. Students are taught to recognize the badge wearer as a safe adult. If you are planning to volunteer at school you will be asked to fill out a background check form, which is available in the office. We truly value our volunteers!

Thunder Eagle of the Week This year I am featuring one student as the ‘Thunder Eagle’ of the week. When it is your child’s special week they will be given an “All About Me” poster to complete information about themselves. They will return their poster on the following Monday, and in addition the Thunder Eagle will also have some special privileges such as line leader, messenger helper, etc.

Daily Folders and backpacks As a means of communicating with you, your child will have a Weekly Assignment Sheet that will go home each day and will be kept in their Daily Seccuss Folders. All Reading and Math minutes recorded in the folder should be complete and checked by an adult before it is returned. Please check the folder for homework, newsletters, upcoming events, papers that need to be signed and other things I wish for you to look at with your child. Please help with organization by providing a special place at home to put the backpack, all school papers and daily work. Please take the time to look through and talk about the letters and papers your child brings home. This is an important communication tool. Thank you so much for your help with instilling this routine with your child at the very beginning of the school year!

Homework is Monday through Thursday.

4th Grade Curriculum and Assessment

Reading:

Learning to read and reading to learn are essential skills for every child. Below are some tips to help your child with reading at home.

~ Setting the Atmosphere
     Help your child find a quiet, comfortable place to read.
     Have your child see you as a reading model.
     Read aloud to your child. Reread favorite stories.
     Read with your child.
     Discuss the stories you read together.
     Recognize the value of silent reading.
     Keep reading time enjoyable and relaxing.

Math Expectations
Place Value:
    •    Count by tens or hundreds forward and backward from 1 to
          1,000 starting at any number.
    •    Connect place value models with their numerical equivalents to
         1,000.
    •    Identify the ones, tens, and hundreds place in a number and
         the digits occupying them.
    •    Write three-digit numbers in expanded form.
          For example: 573 = 500 + 70 + 3
    •    Group three-digit numbers into hundreds, tens, and ones in
         more than one way.
         In the number 647, there are 6 hundreds, 64 tens, 647 ones
    •    Compare and order numbers from 0 to 1,000

Addition and Subtraction:
    •    Quickly recall basic addition facts and related subtraction
         facts for sums through 20.
    •    Solve addition and subtraction word problems that involve
         joining, separating, and comparing and verify the solution.
    •    Add and subtract two-digit numbers efficiently and
          accurately using a procedure that works with all two-digit
          numbers and explain why the procedure works.
    •    Add and subtract two-digit numbers mentally and explain the
         strategies used.
         Example of a strategy: 68 + 37 = 90 + 15 = 105
    •    Estimate sums and differences.
    •    Create and state a rule for patterns that can be generated by
         addition and extend the pattern.
    •    Solve equations in which the unknown number appears in a
         variety of positions.
    •    Name each standard U.S. coin, write its value using the $ sign
         and the cent sign, and name combinations of other coins with
         the same total value.
    •    Determine the value of a collection of coins totaling less than
         $1.00.
Measurement:
    •    Identify objects that represent or approximate standard
         units and use them to measure length.
    •    Estimate length using metric and U.S. customary units.
    •    Measure length to the nearest whole unit in both metric and
         U.S. customary units.
    •    Describe the relative size among minutes, hours, days, weeks,
         months, and years.
    •    Use both analog and digital clocks to tell time to the minute.
         Additional Key Content
    •    Solve problems involving properties of two- and three
         dimensional figures.
    •    Collect, organize, represent, and interpret data in bar graphs
         and picture graphs.
    •    Model and describe multiplication situations in which sets of
         equal size are joined.
    •    Model and describe division situations in which sets are
         separated into equal parts.
    •    Interpret a fraction as a number of equal parts of a whole or
         a set.
Core Processes: Reasoning, Problem Solving, and Communication:
    •    Identify the question(s) asked in a problem and any other
         questions that need to be answered in order to solve the
         problem.
    •    Identify the given information that can be used to solve a
         problem.
    •    Recognize when additional information is required to solve a
         problem.
    •    Select from a variety of problem-solving strategies and use
         one or more strategies to solve a problem.
    •    Identify the answer(s) to the question(s) in a problem.
    •    Describe how a problem was solved.
    •    Determine whether a solution to a problem is reasonable.

Six Trait Writing Model

Ideas:
Focused on one topic or idea.
Supports writing with details. (e.g. examples, adjectives,
     explanations, experiences)
Many ideas support the main point.
Supporting details are sufficient.
Selects appropriate title.

Organization:
The introduction is clear and simple.
Information and/or events are sequenced in a way that makes sense. (chronologically, beg/middle/end, categories)
Transitions connect episodes, descriptions or facts. (e.g. next, first,
     in the beginning, after)
The conclusion is satisfying, letting the reader know the piece is
     finished.

Voice:
Voice is appropriate to the audience and purpose.
The emotion and interest of the writer and/or characters are
     evident.
Writing has a sense of originality.
Writing shows personality.

Word Choice:
Most words are used accurately and precisely.
Selects interesting and effective words.
Images are created.

Sentence Fluency:
Applies appropriate word usage rules (e.g. verb tense, pronouns,
     possessives, etc.)
Uses varied sentence beginnings
Uses varied sentence structures and types

Conventions:
Spells grade level words accurately, with challenging words spelled
     phonetically
Uses a variety of resources to check spelling and word meaning
Uses capitals (e.g. greetings and closings, proper nouns, title)
Uses punctuation (e.g. ending marks, commas, apostrophes)
Produces a quality final copy with legible penmanship

Writing Process:
Prewrites (brainstorm, utilize a picture, list, or graphic organizer,
     etc.)
Uses prewriting to create a draft
Revises with multiple readings for different purposes (to add,
     delete, clarify or expand)
Edits for conventions (spelling, capitals, and punctuation)
Analyzes and evaluates own writing
Helps peers evaluate writing by offering feedback/suggestions

During this stage of development your child has continued to review previously taught forms of writing and broadened their writing experiences to include: letters, poems, narrative writing, expository writing, instructions, personal information (e.g. full name, address, and phone number), phone messages, and
learning logs.

Science Expectations

Aquatic Habitats
Chemical Testing
Scientific Investigation
      1. Write a title for the investigation
     2. Ask a question or think of a problem statement
     3. Make a prediction or hypothesis
     4. Observe and take notes
     5. Create and follow a list of procedures
     6. Record data about what happened
     7. Draw a conclusion